Machine for capping bottles or the like



Apr. 17, 1923. f 1,452,410

P. J. BOUCHER MACHINE FOR CAPPING BOTTLES OR THE LIKE Filed May 28 19212 Sheets-Sheet l PJBOUCHEH In ven7or fE/"J- A Home].

Apr. 17, 1923.

P. J. BOUCHER MACHINE FOR GAPPING BOTTLES OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 28 1921 Pa]. BOUOYEJY Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

PIERRE JOSE BOUCHER, F kENSING-TON, LONDON, ENGLAND.

MACHINE FOR CAI'PING BOTTLES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed May 28, 1921. Serial No. 473,543.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PIERRE Josr'i BoUoHnR, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Kensington, London, England, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Machines forCapping Bottles or the like, of which the followlng is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to machines forstoppering, cap- 1 ping, or sealing bottles, jars, or other receptacles,and has for its object to provide a simple construction which willeffect a more intimate spinning of the cap member with regard to anannular ridge formed at the mouth of the container than has beenobtained heretofore.

Earlier constructions have comprised a rotatable chuck member carryingvertically depending arms on which are mounted the spinning wheels. Thecontainer with the cap was placed in a holder and the spinning wheelswere then advanced by lateral movement towards the cap, whilst rotatingat a fairly high speed. This operation forms an inturned flange on theunderneathedge of the cap, which is turned under the annular ridgeformed on the mouth of the body and grips thereunder, so that it isretained in position.

Although it has been proposed to use a conical member as a spinningwheel, and a certain amount of flexibility has been provided for thevertical arm carrying the spinning wheel, so that it may depend out ofthe vertical in order to deal with the irregularities in the formationof the container, yet with such constructions it is not possible toprovide substantially a right angle flange to the lower edge of the capthat is in intimatecontact therewith.

The present invention consists in providing, in a machine of the typereferred to, means for carrying the spinning wheels,

comprising a series of pivoted levers carrying the spinning wheels atone end, while the other ends are associated with means forsimultaneously operating them, so as to obtain an arcuate movement ofthe wheels directed upwardly towards the chuck, in order to lift andpress the vessel and closure thereagainst during the spinning operation.

Generally speaking, in constructions embodying my invention I provide aplurality 5 of pivoted levers, each of which carries a spinning wheel,which is adapted to be brought into contact with the mouth of the vesselfor the spinning operation, the other ends of the pivoted levers beingin contact with a conical member, thearrangement being such that theadvancing of the spinning wheels to the mouth of the container iseffected by relative movement between the conical member and theassociated extremities of the aforesaid levers.

In one construction according to my invention, the mechanism forimparting a radial motion to the spinning wheels is obtained by pivotingupon a plate, levers carrying the wheels at one end, so as to bring theother end of the pivoted levers into engagement with a cone, (preferablyspring-controlled), supported centrally on the machine in line with theaXis of the bottle, or other receptacle upon which the cap'or the likeis to be impressed. By forcing the cone axially into contact with theend of the pivotedlevers, which preferably will comprise rollers, thediameter at which the spinning wheels will work when the cap is on thetop of the bottle or the like, may be varied. Alternatively, the pivotedlevers may be moved axially towards a stationary cone to achieve thesame end.

In order to provide means for enabling the spinning Wheels to deal withinequalities on the surface of the bottle or other receptacle, bearingsfor the contact rollers are provided in which are inserted flexiblesleeves. Preferably such sleeve will be surrounded by a metal sleeve 57,which will take the wear occasioned by the rotation of the associatedcontact rollers; the contact roller would thus give somewhat, althoughmaintaining its rotation, if a distorted neck on the bottle wereencountered, the pressure exerted at the other end of the lever whichcarries the spinning wheel remaining substantiallyunchanged.

Preferably the flexible sleeve will be made of india rubber.

Preferably the pivoted levers are springcontrolled, and an adjustmentstop may be provided on the lever operating gear to prevent themechanism returning the full stroke, thus only the necessary distance isreturned torelease the bottle or other receptacle for which the machineis set.

I In the preferred form I fix the plate member, carrying the'levers,against axial displacement and arrange the cone so that it can be movedalong its longitudinal axis.-

In order that my invention may be more clearly understood I will nowdescribe its preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically the movement ofthe spinning wheels;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present inventionin its pre ferred form, that is, with a displaceable cone member; and

Fig. 3 shows to an enlarged view, partly i section, the relativearrangement and positions ol the spinning device illustrated in Fig. 2,the view being taken from a position where the true shape of one of thelevers carrying the spinning wheels can be seen.

Referring first to Fig. l, the initial positions of the cone and of thelevers carrying the spinning wheels are shown by the reference numerals1 and 2 respectively, the container, to which the cap is to be fixed,being indicated by the numeral 3. In this position it will be noted thelever arms are inclined to the vertical axis passing through the coneand the container. On the displacement of the cone to the position shownin dot and dash lines, the rollers, indicated by the numerals 4. will bepushed out by the incline presented by its outer face, so that thelevers move about theirrespective pivots, indicated by the numerals 5.This movement of the levers, which is indicated by the numeral 6,imparts an arcuate movement to the spinning wheels, which movement, itwill be noticed, has an upward direction and thereby during the spinningoperation, tends to lift the container 3 up against the work holder, sothat on the top of the container the cap is maintained in pressedrelation, while the spinning operation effects a close contact of thecap to the underside of the shoulder of the mouth of the container.

The dot and dash position of the spinning wheels 2 clearly indicates theability of the wheels to ad ance actually into the recess 'fiirmed belowthe said shoulder.

Referring now to Figs. Qand 3. the machine comprises a standard member 7provided with projecting arms 8, 9 and 10. The arm 8 is designed tocarry pulleys 11. which are suitably mounted in bearings 12 formedthereon. The arms 9 and 10 are coaxially bored to receive a holowspindle 13 in which is disposed a shaft 14 extending throughout itslength. The hearings in the arms 9 and 10 are suitably formed withbushings such 15 to permit rotation of the aforesaid hollow spindle 18.Between the arms a spinning pulleylfi is fixed for rotation on and 'withthe-aforesaid hollow spindle 13, mo

tion being imparted thereto by means of? a belt drive 17, 18 over theaforesaid pulleys 11. which is controlled. in the usual well known wayby means of. a belt shifter and guards as illustrated at the left handbottom portion oi the aforesaid Figure To pre vent axial displacement ofthe hollow spindle l3, lock nuts 19 are provided above the pro iection 9oi the standard of the machine, which lock nuts act in conjunction witha collar 28 formed on the hollow spindle and abuttingagainst theunderside ot the bearing on the projection 10. The cone member 20 isslidingly connected to the hollow sleeve for rotation therewith and alsofor relative axial displacement thereto. This construction is obtainedby forming in the will of the hollow spindle, a longitudinal slot 21,which is clearly shown in Fig. 3. and the cone member is provided nearits top with a removable feather tor sliding in aforesaid slot.

In order that the cone may be axially displaced while it is rotating, itis provided at the top with a loose ring 528 which is retained inposition by a perimposed keeper ring 24:. The loose ring is Formed with.a pair of diai'netrically projecting arms 525 and pivotallymounted oneach such arm is a link member 26, which in turn are each pivotallyconnected to oneprong 29 of a fork handle n7. (Fig. which itself ispivoted at 30 by pin member passing through each cxtren'iity 31 of thefork of the handle 27 and also the projection 10, which the fortstraddles.

The top or normal position of the cone memberis maintained when themachine is not in use by a spring 32 which connects the bearing on theprojection 10 to the aforesaid loose ring 23. Limited movements oi? thehandle '27 may be predetermined in accordance with the sizes of thevarious containers being titted with covers, by providing on the hearing10 a bracket 33 which carries adjustable stop members 342. and 35, eachposition of which is assured by locking nuts indicated at 36 and 37respectively.

The spinning wheels 38 are carried on levers 39. all of which arepivoted at positions indicated by the numeral :10 on a plate member il.which is coaxial with the work holder, and which is {iXcd tor rotationwith the hollow spindle 13. being in threaded engagement therewith andwhich is suitably provided with shoulders 4-2 carrving bearings for thepivot pins of the afore- ."aid lcversj The spinning wheels are probcrahly dctachabl v comiccted to the levers in order that diticrent typesof spinning wheels may be interchanged if necessary. i

A simple form of construction for so mounting the spinningwheels ontheir respective levers is clearly indicated in Fig. 5%.

The top extremities of the levers each carries a roller 4-3. which iscarried in suitable hearings provided with an :ivle pin. in-

dicated at M. The rollers are maintained in contact with the cone member20 by means assa 10 of a bracelet membercomprising links '15 andinterconnecting springs 46.

In order to take up the irregularites which may'occur on the undersideof the shoulder of the container heingoperated upon, the

rollers 43 are mounted on resilient bushings" l7,-carried on the axlepins 414. I I o The container indicated by, the numeral 3 and, is shownsupportedon a tabled-S, which is adjustable in height with regard to thestandard. 7, the table 48 being carried on a spindle 49'projectingthrough bearings 0 in the base of the machine frame.

The cap holder for the machine, indicated by the numeral 51, isconnected in the well known way with a chuck '52. As shown clearly in F3, this chuck is provided with an axial spindle fitted within the hollowextremity of the central shaft 14-, within which its position ismaintained by a collar and pin 54,-, engaging over a sleeve 55, which isclamped between the lower extremity of the shaft 14; and a gland member56, which engages over the threaded extremity of the aforesaid shaft 14.Between the gland56 and the rear face of the chuck 52, an antitt'rictiondevice is provided.

As the lips of bottles or containers vary in depth and diameter, it isnecessary to make a vertical adjustment of the cap holder so that thespinning wheels may make correct contact at the point of closure. Toobtain this adjustment the locking wheel 58 is loosened and a verticalmovement of the central shaft 14 is given by rotating the adjustmentwheel 57 which is keyed to the central shaft and which moves the capholder up or down as required by reason of the fact that the centralshaft 14 is at its lower end in threaded engagement with said hollowspindle 13.

In operation, the container is placed on the table 48 and the table isadvanced to the cap holder 51 by means, not shown, as such forms no partof the present invention. The belt shifter is then pulled. over in orderto drive the hollow spindle 13 through the medium of the spinningpulley16 and then the handle 27 is pulled down.

It will be seen, then, that while the spinning wheels are revolving theyare given an arcuate upward movement towards the work holder, so thatthey tend to lift the container from the table and press the containerinto the work holder, whiletheir own action is in an upward directionagainst the under edge of the shoulder of the mouth of the con-- tainer,the combined action effecting the spinning of the cap onto thecontainer, so that it is in intimate contact therewith.

I claim:

1. In a machine for stoppering, capping, or sealing bottles, means forspinning the closure on to the container, comprising in combination, awork holder, a superimposed p the surface of saidcone, means forrotating said cone and plate, and means for sliding said cone during itsrotation, consisting of a loose ring carried on said cone, diametri-'cally opposite projections on said ring, a

lever pivotedfin a fixed part of the machine, and links connectingsaidlever to said ring;

2. A machine for stoppering, capping, or sealing bottles, having incombination, a hol low spindle, a shaft extending through said hollowspindle, a work holder carried by the lower end of said haft, means forlongitudinally adjusting said shaft within said hollow spindle, meansfor rotating said hollow spindle, a cone fixed for rotation on saidspindle and slidable thereon, a plate fixed on said spindle below saidcone and above said work holder, a series of similar levers pivoted onsaid plate, a spinning wheel mounted on the lower end of each lever, aroller on the top endof each lever, a resilient bearing for each roller,resilient'means for maintaining saidrollers in contact with said cone,means for sliding said cone on said spindle, comprising a loose ringcarried by said cone," diametrically opposite projections on said ring,a lever pivoted on a fixed part of the machine, and links connectingsaid levers to said ring, and spring means connecting said loose ring toa fixed part of the machine to ensure return to normal position of saidcone.

3. A machine forstoppering, capping, or sealing bottles, having incombination, a hollow spindle,'a shaft extending through said hollowspindle. a work holder carried by the lower end of said shaft, means forlongitudinally adjusting said shaft within said hollow spindle, meansfor rotating said hollow spindle,,a cone fixed for rotation on saidspindle, and slidable thereon, a plate fixed on said spindle below saidcone and above said work holder, a series ofsimilar levers pivoted onsaid plate, a spinning wheel mounted on the lower end of each lever, aroller on the top end of each lever, a resilient bearing for eachroller, resilient means for maintaining said rollers in contact withsaid cone, means for sliding said cone on said spindle, comprising aloose ring carried by said cone, d1ametr1cally opposite projections onsaid ring, a lever pivoted on a fixed part of the machine, and linksconnectmg sald levers to said ring, sprlng means connecting said loosering to a fixed part of the machine to ensure return to normal po sitionof said cone, and means for limiting the movement of said lever,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. I

4. A machine for stoppering, capping, or sealing bottles, having incombination, a hollow spindle, a shaft extending through said hollowspindle and in threaded engagement therewith, a hollow extremity at thelower end of said shaft, a work holder stein supported within saidhollow extremity, a gland screwed to the lower end of said shaft, ananti-frictiondevice'between said gland and said work holder, means forrotating said hollow spindle, a cone fixed for rotation on said spindle,and slidable thereon, a plate fixed on said spindle below said cone andabove said work holder, a series of similar levers pivoted on saidplate, a spinning wheel mounted on the lower end of each lever, a rolleron the top end of each lever, a resilient bearing for each roller,resilient means for maintaining said rollers in contact with said cone,means for sliding said cone on said spindle, comprising a loose ring themachine to ensure return to normal position of said cone, and means forlimiting the movement of said lever, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

5. A machine for 'stoppering, capping, or

sealing bottles, comprising in combination,

a work holder, a superimposed pla COfLX'lal with said work holder, acone slidably arranged above said plate and connected for rotationtherewith, three levers pivotally mounted on said plate, a detachablespinning wheel mounted on the lower end o'f'each of said levers, aroller mounted on the top end of each of said levers, a resilientbearing for each roller, and a resilient bracelet encircling said leversabove their pivoted axes, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

PIER-RE JOSE BoUoHnR.

